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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, A pr il 19 ,2 01 8 | 30 For more information and to register visit: www.hhpl.on.ca Dr. Barry Smit is an internationally recognized expert on climate change impacts and adaptation. His research and practice span more than 30 years. He has authored over 150 scientific papers and 4 books. As a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), he was a co- recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (2007). DISCOVER NEW IDEAS. CHALLENGE YOUR OPINIONS. EXPLORE CURRENT EVENTS. Communities in a Changing Climate Dr. Barry Smit Wednesday, April 25th 7:30pm John Elliott Theatre FREE May 4, 11, 12 at 7:30pm May 5, 6, 12, 13 at 2pm Tickets now Available John Elliott Theatre Box Office: 9 Church St., Georgetown Phone: 905-877-3700 PRESENTED BYPRESENTED BY ceding that enforcement methods used by officers are constantly adapting to seek out those with bad driving habits. "HRPS utilizes vehicles that allow officers to clear- ly observe distracted-driv- ing charges," he said. "These allow us to spot drivers who choose to hold their phones low in their lap or have a heavy tint on their windows." The penalty for driving a motor vehicle while hold- ing or using a cellphone is a fine of $400, plus a victim surcharge and court fee, for a total of $490 if settled out of court. If a driver re- ceives a summons or chooses to fight the ticket they could face a fine up to $1,000; upon conviction the driver receives three de- merit points. It is illegal to hold or use phones when stopped at a light, with the exception of calling 911 for an emergen- cy. Const. Stevenson noted that distracted-driving of- fenders cover the full spec- trum of demographics, from G2 licence holders to 75-year-olds. Our first offender on this dry, sunny day is a 25- year-old pickup truck driv- er from Erin with several speed-related charges on his record. The 'cruiser' slinks up alongside a line of vehicles on Steeles Ave- nue waiting on a red light turning southbound onto Trafalgar Road, when Const. Stevenson makes eye contact with the ac- cused, who is clearly seen holding a phone in his right hand before dropping it to the floor. "I asked him what he dropped out of his hand and he said, 'Nothing, the phone just fell off the dash- board.' And I told him I'm not going to argue with you, but you're getting a ticket. He's had reduced tickets that could be at roadside or in court, but that luxury does not ex- tend to hand-held commu- nication devices." Culprit No. 2 was driv- ing a commercial motor ve- hicle northbound on Mountainview Road South when the constable noticed the mid-50s' male pecking away intensely on his phone for at least 90 sec- onds and his head was still looking down as he ad- vanced with neighbouring vehicles on the green light. Not long after, a 39-year- old woman is nabbed at the intersection of Guelph Street and Main Street North in the middle of text- ing with a young child in the back seat, her second such offence in the past six months. If the current penalties aren't enough of a deter- rent for those choosing to ignore the law, tougher new rules are expected to take effect later this year, which will make distracted driving even more costly. The fines for distracted driving would increase from a maximum of $1,000 to up to $2,000 on a second conviction and up to $3,000 for third or subsequent in- cidents, as well as six de- merit points for multiple offences. Offenders would also see their licence suspend- ed for three days on a first offence, seven days after two convictions, and 30 days for third and further convictions. Aside from tracking down distracted drivers, the DRU has a broad man- date when helping keep the community safe, whether it's impaired driving, speeding, commercial ve- hicle inspections or sus- pended drivers. "A lot of our work is complaint-driven," added Const. Stevenson, who re- cently joined the DRU after four years on patrol in Georgetown. "The online reporting tool is there for people to share and report traffic is- sues with other drivers who they've seen or areas where we're getting multi- ple complaints about speeding or whatever the case. Looking for distract- ed drivers isn't the only thing we're doing, it's just what our priority is for March." POLICE AND FIRE l Continued from page 29 Police have a lot of tools to nab distracted drivers During the month of March, 10 officers in the force's one district response unit (DRU) in Halton Hills and Milton focussed on catching in the act those multi-tasking motorists who just can't wait to send that text or make a phone call while on the road. IFP file photo